Mrs. Charlotte Ann Mason, age 74, of 245 2nd. St., Laceyville, PA., passed away on Tuesday morning, April 17,2012 at the Meadowview Nursing Facility, in Montrose, after a debilitating illness.
Charlotte was born in Apolacon twp., Susquehanna Co., (Little Meadows), on June 24,1937 the daughter of the late Cleveland Benjamin who passed away in 1970 and Emma Rogers Benjamin, who passed away in 1964. Charlotte spent all of her early childhood on the family homestead in Little Meadows, where she enjoyed her family and her country home. Living near the New York State border, Charlotte was a graduate of the Owego Free Academy, in Owego, NY, with the class of 1954.
In 1983, Charlotte married Joseph C. Mason Jr., of Laceyville, PA. they relocated to their home on 2nd. St, in Laceyville. For 11 years, Charlotte was employed as a secretary and bookkeeper, by Benscoter Trucking in Laceyville, retiring in 1998.
In her spare time she enjoyed her family and the country life especially her homestead in Little Meadows. In 2006 she wrote and published a book about her father's life, titled "It's a Great Life If You Don't Weaken".
Since her marriage she was a member of the St. Peter's Episcopal Church, in Tunkhannock, PA. and was a Sunday School teacher there, for many years.
Surviving is her husband of 29 years, Joseph C. Mason Jr., of Laceyville, PA., daughters, Laurie Ann Massey of Stoney Point, NC; and Patty Lin Caudill of Statesville, NC; and her sons, Michael Rafferty, of Friendsville, PA.; and Joseph Rafferty, of Little Meadows, PA. Step-daughters, Ann Gorman, of Carey, NC; Elizabeth Zervas, of Perrineville, NJ, and a step-son, Clark Mason, of Enfield, CT. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Beth Ann Anderson, Jessica Lin Wiggins, Laurel Lee Kiser, all of Statesville, NC; Christina Jo Stanton, Kimberly Stanton, both of Stoney Point, NC; Kristie Rafferty, of Choconut, PA. and Rebecca Lynn Rafferty, of Little Meadows, PA. and grandsons, Joseph Rafferty Jr. of Little Meadows, PA. and Jared Benjamin Brooks, of Statesville, NC, as well as many great-grandchildren, and 5 step-grandchildren. Charlotte was also survived by a sister, Barbara Glasner, of Cowan, TN, as well as several nieces and nephews, especially a niece Lorraine Card, of Endicott, NY, and a nephew, Greg Champaign, of Owego, NY. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Arlena Jo Rafferty, a daughter Tiffany Ann Mason on May 25,2002, and a great-grandson, Sebastian Billings.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 20,2012 at 10:00 AM at the St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Tunkhannock, PA. with Rev. Lou Divis, of the church officiating. Interment will be in the Lacey St. Cemetery in Laceyville, PA. Family and friends may call at the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St. Laceyville, PA. on Thursday April 19,2012 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. .
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial donations to the St. Peter's Episcopal Church, US Route 6, Tunkhannock, PA. 18657.